The Contemporary British Mosque: The Establishment of Muslim Congregations and Institutions

— —

Abdul-Azim Ahmed (Cardiff University, UK) Kambiz Ghaneabassiri (Carlton College USA)

The Contemporary British Mosque

The Establishment of Muslim Congregations and Institutions

Abdul-Azim Ahmed (Cardiff University, UK), Kambiz Ghaneabassiri (Carlton College USA), Frank Peter (Erlangen Center for Islam and Law in Europe Germany)

$59.99

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Bloomsbury Academic
30 October 2025

Islamic worship, rites & ceremonies; Islamic life & practice; Sociology & anthropology

Series: Islam of the Global West

Repositioning mosques as social, cultural and political spaces, this book provides new insights on key contemporary debates, the religious identity of Britain, secularisation, the far-right and terrorism, and gender equality.

Exploring the story of the British mosque, from house conversions to grand works of architecture, and the role they play in public life, Abdul-Azim Ahmed details the establishment of early mosques during the era of Empire, and the rapid growth in the years following the Second World War.

Ahmed takes a sociological approach to this study, drawing on fieldwork and ethnographic case-studies, alongside reviews of databases and historical documents to provide perspectives on the British mosque from the congregants themselves. The Muslim congregation, a poorly understood and often overlooked dimension of religion in Britain, is examined, and issues of diversity, denomination, sacredness, and society are explored.

By: Abdul-Azim Ahmed (Cardiff University UK)
Edited by: Kambiz Ghaneabassiri (Carlton College USA), Frank Peter (Erlangen Center for Islam and Law in Europe Germany)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781350259010
ISBN 10: 1350259012
Series: Islam of the Global West
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 30 October 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

1. Introduction 2. The Historical Mosque 3. The British Mosque 4. The Interspatial Mosque 5. The Congregational Mosque 6. The Sacred Mosque 7. The Diverse Mosque 8. The Unwelcome Mosque 9. The Civil Mosque 10. The Women's Mosque 11. The Mosque in Lockdown 12. The Un-Mosqued 13. The Future Mosque 14. Conclusion Index Bibliography

Abdul-Azim Ahmed is Deputy Director and Research Associate at the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK, at Cardiff University, UK.

Reviews for The Contemporary British Mosque: The Establishment of Muslim Congregations and Institutions

""In this well-researched book, Abdul-Azim Ahmed explores the rich tapestry of Britain's Islamic heritage through a fascinating journey of its mosques. Since Islam's early days, mosques have been central to Muslim spiritual and social life. This book provides a unique lens into their vibrant history and modern relevance in Britain and will encourage readers to learn further about the multi-faceted dimensions."" --Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, educationalist and author ""In this book, extensive ethnographic research and personal experience meets theoretical and conceptual agility. Ahmed has opened the door and taken us inside the world of mosques, while also situating them in spatial, geographic, religious, and historic contexts. As a landmark academic contribution to British Muslim Studies, I also congratulate him for offering an understanding of mosques that Muslims themselves can recognise."" --Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Director, Islam-UK Centre, Cardiff University, UK